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We, at MittenBrew, may know a thing or two about craft beer. We can even argue we are a bunch of snazzy looking models (check us out in the photos). But when it comes to gifting that special beer lover in your life something unique and inventive for the holiday, we let the local beer enthusiasts speak for themselves. From all around the Mitten, our state’s love for local craft beer is not in question. The list is sure to please every type of beer lover in your life as much as it pleased us to model for it.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Club Mich has the gift that keeps on giving. The thought of receiving gifts all year round is any inner child’s dream. Let me introduce to you the Michigan Brewery T-Shirt Club. This club delivers a t-shirt from a different Michigan brewery to your doorstep every month. The mystery lies in the box with exclusive designs not available anywhere else. Any person that loves their state and loves craft beer is sure to enjoy this gift that keeps on giving! Memberships are available for 1, 3, 6, 9, or 12 month increments.

The Brewery Explorer

Detroit’s rich history is deeply rooted, but with technology these days the newer excitements in the city aren’t being documented. The Detroit Beer Field Guide is designed for both Detroit area residents and visitors. The guide breaks down the stats on 48 different Metro Detroit breweries, and leaves space for you to jot down notes about your visit. The DBFG is a keepsake to treasure for years to come. No more worrying that a new exciting app will come along and replace your beer app. This is a great incentive for any beer lover to take a trip to Detroit, or for locals to explore more of their local breweries.

The Fashionable One

Make the boys envious by giving the beer lovin’ ladies in your life beautiful jewelry made using hops. At Brewery Ferment, they don’t just use their hops to brew beer, they take it to the next level by capturing the beauty of the flower in pendants, rings, and earrings. If you can take your eyes off of the beautiful jewelry, you will also notice playful dresses, shirts, and apparel designed for the lover of Michigan and craft beer.

The One who Points at their Hand

No more using our hands, imagining a map with cities and highways, to point out to your friends where you camped last summer. Michigan Mittensputs an actual map of Michigan right onto your hands. Comfortable and cozy, these mittens are the perfect gift for any Winter Beer Fest goer. Nothing can top Michigan beer wrapped in the warmth of its own state. Or, my favorite pastime, Michigan Mittens can be your companion in a good old fashioned snowball fight.

The Rustic Beer Drinker

Bad Moon Studio designs and builds one of a kind utilitarian furniture and decorative accessories out of barrels—barrels that were once a home for bourbon or some of our state’s aged beers. Each piece comes with its own story and is ready to start its new chapter with someone as a growler rack, beer cap opener, or table. The rustic, imperfect flair is sure to add uniqueness to any home or office.

The Social Media Enthusiast

Pound Michigan Beer is locally produced to praise and share favorite local beers with each other through social media channels. A way to reach out to the masses expressing how we feel about specific beers all over the state in one spot. #MICHIGANBEER is your one stop shop for shirts, pint glasses, buttons, and stickers. Simple and easy to recognize, even our grandparents can get on board with this one!

The Wanderlust

For the beer drinker far and wide, the gift of the Journey Jug is sure to cover some miles. The Journey Jug is a growler with its own tracking number allowing you to follow the growler’s actual journey. Every time the growler is filled or shared is an opportunity to add to its story online. You can also create a journey with your own growler by placing a journey jug sticker on it. Share the fun by passing along your growler so all can enjoy the journey it embarks.

The Jokester

We all have that one person in our lives that loves a good practical joke. The Peter Popper is your answer. It is a great conversation piece sure to create many laughs. Not only is it fun to joke about, but the perfect size to fill your hand and, with just the right skill, to really get things poppin’…open up a beer bottle of course!

The One Who Likes Variety

Sometimes it is nice to bring a little variety into your life. Sticking to one thing can be a bit boring. With the handmade beer caddy from G3 Studios, you are sure to bring variety wherever you go. These beautifully engraved beer caddies made from poplar wood hold up to six beer bottles, with an attached beer opener. Or take it solo and gift a cap catching magnetic beer opener to keep mounted by the beer cellar. Either way, the gorgeous wood engravings are sure to draw some attention as little pieces of functioning artwork.

The Dare Devil

Many of us have a bucket list silently haunting our thoughts, tempting us to do wild and crazy things before we die. For the craft beer drinker that likes to get wild – there is sure to be a list of beers they are wanting to try before time escapes them. From Michigan Wine and Beer Apparelthe daring drinker can wear their beer palate on their sleeve with The Craft Beer Bucket List hoodie. Options also include apparel for the local college sports fanatic and wine connoisseur.

The Beer Aficionado

What better way to learn more about something you love than with a documentary. Film director Kevin Romeo and Rhino Media Productions, set out to combine the worlds of beer fandom and movie fandom to create The Michigan Beer Film. It touches on how our pastime values have steared into a new generation of community driven consumers. The Michigan Beer Film will educate viewers on the hardships that brewers and entrepreneurs face in a rapidly booming industry.

The One Who is a Festival Groupie

Giving the gift of The Michigan Brewers Guild Enthusiast Membership turns any groupie into a VIP. The Enthusiast Membership offers exclusive sign-ups to festivals before the average joe, exclusive brewery tours, a member t-shirt, as well as the priceless value of entering festivals an hour before everyone else. This gift is sure to please any Michigan beer lover.

The Home Cook

Every curious beer connoisseur who spends time in the kitchen has wondered which beer would best pair with their evening’s dinner. The Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy by Fred Bueltmann, Vice President of Brand & Lifestyle and Partner of New Holland Brewery, overflows the reader with knowledge on the culture of cooking, drinking, and entertaining both those knowledgeable about craft beer and those not. Focusing on seasonal recipes and pairing beer with food, the pages overflow with scrumptious photography by Grand Rapids photographer, Jeff Hage. Not only should you gift this book, but gift two books, so one can go through the wears and tears of the kitchen while the other sits elegantly on the coffee table.

There were no tuxes, no ball gowns, no fireworks, no speeches and no cake.

More appropriately, the city of Howell decided to ring in Michigan’s birthday with local beer and local film — two forms of craft that we Michiganders take great pride in.

The ticketed birthday bash began at Eternity Brewing where guests were invited to a casual beer tasting and tour with the brewery founders and owners, Mike and Dayna Tran. While they talked, we drank.

“After opening, we knew we wanted to do something for Michigan’s birthday,” said Mike, “so these beers are brewed with all Michigan ingredients. Hops from Black Creek Farms. Malt from Pilot Malt House. Michigan apples and cider. Coffee from across the street.”

Previous to the special event this past Saturday, Eternity also released a specially brewed beer for each day of the week. Selection varied from a simple, dry cascade-hopped pale to an apple cider beer as well as a coffee brown. Each flavor and aroma was handpicked to complement local Michigan product.

Having just officially opened this past September, it’s impressive that Mike and Dayna have provided so many quality options for their patrons while coordinating special events as well. To give event-goers some history while we drank our sample of saison fare, Mike admitted, “I planted the seed in her head that I would like to open our own business in the future — I didn’t know that was going to be a brewery, but then we got so into beer. And all of our ideas formed into this BIG thing. And we thought, we’re young, let’s give it a shot.”

Both have multiple years of home brewing experience, but when comparing it to a larger scale, Dayna says they don’t expect consistency. “I think that takes away from the craft of it. We just kinda go for it,” she said.

Mike adds that brewing is similar to cooking. “After you’ve done it for a few years, you can start to predict how things are going to turn out and start tailoring recipes.”

However they combine recipes with experimentation — it’s obviously working. They have gotten tremendous support from their community and growing customer base.

Building on that theme of community, event guests next drove five minutes away to the Historic Howell Theater to continue the Michigan ode to the craft industry with a viewing of “The Michigan Beer Film,” originally released in 2013.

Once a community attraction, Tyler DePerro, theater owner, maintains that he’d like to continue to grow the theater as a venue not only for films, but also concerts, educational seminars and other community events.

“We originally talked with Eternity Brewing to see if we could get local beer in here,” he said, “but they’re not close to canning yet. But I’d love to do other events with them in the future.”

Before we sat down, he gave a guided tour of the historic landmark, haunted bits included. Established in 1928, this theater began as a one screen viewing platform.

“There was a stage and space for an orchestra pit — they did vaudeville here and everything.”

Taking us backstage, DePerro showed us that even with extensive, modern renovations, this historic landmark holds onto its roots.

“There are bits of the original curtain, and up there are some old seats, and these pillars used to frame the original screen.”

After grabbing some popcorn and snacks to balance out the beer consumption at Eternity, we all took our seats in the cozy theater.

Running at just over two hours, “The Michigan Beer Film” (Rhino Media Productions, directed by Kevin Romeo) displayed the hard work, support and passion of the craft industry in Michigan.

We were shown endless, towering rows of hops being grown right here in Michigan. New entrepreneurs building their craft futures right here in Michigan. Brewers talked to us. Farmers showed us their country. Patriarchs of the industry like Rex Halfpenny and Larry Bell were repeatedly hailed by everyone being interviewed. “[They] are what started it all — the godfather, the uncle of craft beer.”

Everyone in the film reminded viewers what the meaning of ‘craft’ really meant for Michigan inhabitants. It’s dedication, drive, heart, soul, community, risk — all combined to celebrate something we may not need as humans, but something we will never stop enjoying. Like Rex Halfpenny famously stated, “Man’s the only animal on the face of the planet that drinks when he’s not thirsty.”

New brewers and enthusiasts, such as Mike and Dayna at Eternity Brewing, keep the Michigan craft dream a growing tradition. Whether it’s the state that makes the beer, or the beer that makes the state, Michigan will continue to be defined by its local craft. With each passing birthday, craft enthusiasts raise their glasses to this state. Michigan. The best state ever, in our opinion.

There were no tuxes, no ball gowns, no fireworks, no speeches and no cake.
More appropriately, the city of Howell decided to ring in Michigan’s birthday with local beer and local film — two forms of craft that we Michiganders take great pride in.
The ticketed birthday bash began at Eternity Brewing where guests were invited to a casual beer tasting and tour with the brewery founders and owners, Mike and Dayna Tran. While they talked, we drank.
“After opening, we knew we wanted to do something for Michigan’s birthday,” said Mike, “so these beers are brewed with all Michigan ingredients. Hops from Black Creek Farms. Malt from Pilot Malt House. Michigan apples and cider. Coffee from across the street.”
Previous to the special event this past Saturday, Eternity also released a specially brewed beer for each day of the week. Selection varied from a simple, dry cascade-hopped pale to an apple cider beer as well as a coffee brown. Each flavor and aroma was handpicked to complement local Michigan product.
Having just officially opened this past September, it’s impressive that Mike and Dayna have provided so many quality options for their patrons while coordinating special events as well. To give event-goers some history while we drank our sample of saison fare, Mike admitted, “I planted the seed in her head that I would like to open our own business in the future — I didn’t know that was going to be a brewery, but then we got so into beer. And all of our ideas formed into this BIG thing. And we thought, we’re young, let’s give it a shot.”
Both have multiple years of home brewing experience, but when comparing it to a larger scale, Dayna says they don’t expect consistency. “I think that takes away from the craft of it. We just kinda go for it,” she said.
Mike adds that brewing is similar to cooking. “After you’ve done it for a few years, you can start to predict how things are going to turn out and start tailoring recipes.”
However they combine recipes with experimentation — it’s obviously working. They have gotten tremendous support from their community and growing customer base.
“We consider all suggestions — and we ask. And believe me, our regulars let us know if there’s anything off,” Mike adds.
Building on that theme of community, event guests next drove five minutes away to the Historic Howell Theater to continue the Michigan ode to the craft industry with a viewing of “The Michigan Beer Film,” originally released in 2013.
Once a community attraction, Tyler DePerro, theater owner, maintains that he’d like to continue to grow the theater as a venue not only for films, but also concerts, educational seminars and other community events.
“We originally talked with Eternity Brewing to see if we could get local beer in here,” he said, “but they’re not close to canning yet. But I’d love to do other events with them in the future.”
Before we sat down, he gave a guided tour of the historic landmark, haunted bits included. Established in 1928, this theater began as a one screen viewing platform.
“There was a stage and space for an orchestra pit — they did vaudeville here and everything.”
Taking us backstage, DePerro showed us that even with extensive, modern renovations, this historic landmark holds onto its roots.
“There are bits of the original curtain, and up there are some old seats, and these pillars used to frame the original screen.”
After grabbing some popcorn and snacks to balance out the beer consumption at Eternity, we all took our seats in the cozy theater.
Running at just over two hours, “The Michigan Beer Film” (Rhino Media Productions, directed by Kevin Romeo) displayed the hard work, support and passion of the craft industry in Michigan.
We were shown endless, towering rows of hops being grown right here in Michigan. New entrepreneurs building their craft futures right here in Michigan. Brewers talked to us. Farmers showed us their country. Patriarchs of the industry like Rex Halfpenny and Larry Bell were repeatedly hailed by everyone being interviewed. “[They] are what started it all — the godfather, the uncle of craft beer.”
Everyone in the film reminded viewers what the meaning of ‘craft’ really meant for Michigan inhabitants. It’s dedication, drive, heart, soul, community, risk — all combined to celebrate something we may not need as humans, but something we will never stop enjoying. Like Rex Halfpenny famously stated, “Man’s the only animal on the face of the planet that drinks when he’s not thirsty.”
New brewers and enthusiasts, such as Mike and Dayna at Eternity Brewing, keep the Michigan craft dream a growing tradition. Whether it’s the state that makes the beer, or the beer that makes the state, Michigan will continue to be defined by its local craft. With each passing birthday, craft enthusiasts raise their glasses to this state. Michigan. The best state ever, in our opinion.

https://i1.wp.com/mittenbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/HowellTheater-1.jpg?fit=2500%2C1875&ssl=118752500CurlyHosthttps://mittenbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MittenBrewLogo.pngCurlyHost2015-02-04 07:00:102019-09-25 15:15:23Howell toasts Michigan's birthday with local beer and film